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Saturday, 9 May 2015

We Were Dynamic

My thoughts on how one of the best TV duos were ruined.

Let me be clear, I am a huge fan of Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, I loved it from episode 1 so this is not a criticism about the show in general. To be honest, I loved the original line up, when new random faces started showing up in Season 2, it took a while for me to get used to them. I wasn't too keen on them taking major screen time and even plot lines when original cast members were practically written out of the show or pushed to the side. I know the show has evolved into something more than a team of agents - all with their parts to play - who solve a problem each episode, make a few jokes and develop slowly over time. Now its, all about the big picture, introducing new agents, new threats and a whole different race of sub-humans, the Inhumans. It was bound to happen.

I wanted to write this before the Season 2 finale happens and the hypes dies down while everyone waits for Season 3 as it MUST happen. I'm enjoying the new storylines, and the ever expanding Marvel Universe, tying in with the films and more spin-offs. The best one so far being Agent Carter, of course. But, I have a major problem with the development of my two favourite characters and I know many people who watch and love the show love these two characters too, otherwise there wouldn't be numerous tumblr accounts dedicated to them, and they wouldn't have their own auto search or constantly being hashtagged. I am talking about FitzSimmons, or Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons.

Best friends, geniuses, inseparable, they are FitzSimmons. From the moment they are introduced, it is clear they are going to be a duo but still operate independently. They do provide comic relief at times but they are taken seriously and are both vital to the team as he is engineering and she's biochem. You can't have one without the other.

Throughout Season 1, they faced challenges, a few death threats and some moments that beautifully executed, making you just love these two even more, rooting for them to survive, as let's face it, people die in Wheadon's world or are torn down. In this case it was the latter. The moment Fitz and Simmons are dropped into the ocean, we all had a feeling we wouldn't see them next Season. But after an amazing scene when Fitz sacrifices himself for Simmons, we all held our breath.

The lead up to Season 2, everyone wondered if Fitz would turn evil or was also actually working for Hydra, but no, it was Simmons who was, but only under cover leaving Fitz in ruins to recover from brain trauma, almost loosing his might scientific mind to the Wheadon black hole of misery.

After waiting around 5 episodes (?) the duo are reunited only for them not to be reunited. A whole season goes by and Fitz and Simmons develop is pushed to the side. Simmons is now more desperate and violent, Fitz is vulnerable and cold. What's happened? So far, they're interactions have been minimal and brief and next to no spark of their formal selves. I get it that with the whole Hydra revelation and 'the mist' shiz, things are changing, but I really can't see why Fitz and Simmons were thrown under the S.H.I.E.L.D bus. One of the best duos on TV, a great friendship, chemistry beyond science, ruined to make room Skye's family problems and Bobbi's marital issues. I'm not a fan of Bobbi anymore, she's turned into a drag. May is way better. Anyway . . .

Only in the last couple of episodes has Fitz and Simmons shown signs of getting back on track and even saying lines that appear to relate to others but actually sound like advice for themselves. If so, I liked this touch.

I am really hoping that the creators turn this thing around and aren't just teasing us with the one of the posters released for the finale. I also hope they don't throw another curve ball and kill one of both of them off. Then I'd be really annoyed. These are just my thoughts on the matter. Finger crossed FitzSimmons fans, there may still be hope.